Google Alert – KNF
A commander of the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) – an armed wing of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), also known as the Bawm Party – is among the two people killed during a military raid in the distant hills of Bandarban’s Ruma Upazila, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Three submachine guns, a rifle, and other weapons and ammunition were recovered from the scene, the ISPR press release said. The raid is continuing as of Thursday morning.
Bandarban Press Club President Aminul Islam Bachchu said military officials have called a press conference at the Ruma Military Zone in the afternoon to discuss details of the raid.
Mohammad Suhrawardy, Chief of Ruma Police Station, said, “A few military teams conducted a raid in the Pali Prangsa area early on Thursday morning. During the raid, there was a gunfight between the army and the KNA. Afterwards, two bodies were found during a search of the area.
“It is believed that a KNA commander is among the dead. I heard the body is lying there. There is no mobile network in the area. As soon as we received the report, two army teams and a police team left for the location.” OC Suhrawardy said details will not be available until the teams return.
The KNF’s stated goal is the formation of a ‘Kuki-Chin state’ where members of the Bawm, Khyang, Pankho, Mizo (also known as Lushai), Khumi, and Mro ethnicities will live, separate from the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura ethnicities.
The people of the Bawm community have taken refuge in India’s Mizoram and nearby forests during raids against the KNF and KNA. They have recently started returning to their native land under the initiative of the Bawm Social Council, a social organisation of members from the ethnicity, and the Bandarban Military Region.
The Bawm Social Council says that 300 families are facing a food crisis after returning to the area. Various initiatives are being taken to resolve this crisis.